Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

SE-04-08-152 — New Covenant Baptist Church

Request: "To install ground sign with electronic reader board in P-D zone with the following Variances: 1) 14.5 ft. in height in lieu of 8 ft.; 2) 170 sq. ft. of copy area in lieu of 32 sq. ft."

Decision: Approved

Hearing: "The New Covenant Church is a large religious organization that offers a variety of services and uses to the community. In addition to typical church services, the applicant's Planned Development approval includes an apartment building for the elderly, private school grades K through 12, including a headstart program, and an amphitheater. Many special events and announcements are associated with these services and programs. Hence the need for a readerboard sign. This is a large, 19-acre property situated on Rio Grande Avenue, a four-lane major roadway located on the fringe of retail commercial development to the south. The height and size requirements are primarily geared to nonresidential uses in a dominant residential setting. Given the size of this property, its location, and the unique amount of programs associated with the church, staff had no issues with the size and height of the sign. However, since there are some homes located to the east across Rio Grande Avenue, staff wanted to ensure the illumination of the sign would not have a detrimental visual impact to those residents. Staff prepared a set of conditions to address that issue. The conditions were forward to the sign company and to Reverend Bracy at the church for review. At the public hearing, Reverend Bracy and a representative from the sign company addressed the BZA and agreed to the conditions. There was no opposition to this request."